The possible idea of a Tesla phone, rumored to be called Model Pi/P, has circulated throughout the internet. However, the more important question is how likely is a smartphone release? As for now, no credible sources have convinced me, or anyone else at HalfofThe, of the existence of a Tesla phone, however, it wouldn’t hurt wondering: what would a smartphone from the world’s most valuable automaker look like?
When Will the Tesla Phone Be Released?
Tesla has a history of releasing intriguing, yet still, on-brand products, for example, the Cybertruck-inspired all-electric vehicle for kids, an umbrella with its logo stamped on it, a stainless-steel whistle, etc. If they do decide to add a smartphone to the mix would not be nearly as unexpected, however, its release is not as believable as those other items, at least until it is announced.
There are a few primary reasons I’m not sold that this phone is due for an actual release:
The majority of these rumors come from an early 2021 YouTube video from adrstudiodesign, however, they have clearly stated those are the designer’s ideas, not real leaks or details from Tesla. The majority of the rumors that are floating around appear to be based on that source.
We will get into these more below, however, the ideas for a Tesla phone are a bit too advanced to be realistic right now, for example, Neuralink support as well as connectivity on Mars. Those capabilities do not have to be in the phone’s first iteration, so it is possible that a device could be in the works without them. It makes sense to be skeptical when such ideas are thrown around this early.
If the reasons are not enough, this is the comment from Telsa’s CEO on the future of smartphones, on Twitter:
“Definitely not. Smartwatches & phones are yesterday’s technology, Neuralinks are the future.”
Release Date Estimate
Few estimates provide an ambitious release date of 2022, however, I would take Musk’s tweet as evidence that these rumors are simply fantasies. Keeping in mind that, Tesla could still release a phone in the future, however, there is no reason to believe it will happen with the information we currently have. If (and the if is a far cry) this phone is genuinely under works in secret, and let us assume every rumor is accurate, there is little chance we would see it until closer to 2030.
Tesla Phone Price Rumors
A phone with all or most of the advanced tech described below is likely to cost more than a few thousand dollars. Subsequent versions could come down in price as more people start using the technology, however, I would not expect the first iteration to be affordable for the majority of the population.
Let’s assume the phone is real (which neither I nor anyone else at HalfofThe thinks is) it would start relatively basic with just a few of the rumored features, it would still likely sit at a more sensible $800-$1,200.
Will there be a Pre-Order for the Tesla Phone? Any Pre-Order Information?
It is safe to imagine that an announcement will be made many months before the official release, and the pre-orders could start early. However, without a release date to reference, I have no idea when pre-orders for the supposed Tesla phone could begin.
Tesla Phone Features
Considering Tesla’s over-the-top features in their existing products, for example, the Cybertruck’s nearly impenetrable exoskeleton, along with bioweapon defense mode in some of their other vehicles, the rumors regarding this phone are not surprising.
Here’s what’s been spinning in the rumor mill.
Satellite internet: SpaceX’s space-based internet service, Starlink, has close ties to Tesla, and Elon Musk is the CEO of both. There is even potential for the Tesla phone to help finance Mars colonization, a goal since the company’s founding. However, they would have to find a way to not only conceal the bulky antenna satellite phones but also guarantee good service from a compact device. A theory is that it would work where there’s already a Starlink base, for example, in a building or if it ever happens, a Tesla car fitted with the appropriate antenna.
Solar charging: Tesla manufactures solar panels as well as vehicles, so solar charging would not be a far-fetched idea. It is unlikely the phone would rely only on solar, however, it could have a Tesla-branded case that enables some solar charging.
Vehicle control: There is already a Tesla app for phones to perform basic car functions like lock/unlock the car, control media playback, along with the ability to summon the vehicle. This app would most assuredly be preinstalled on the Tesla phone, if not built-in to the operating system, for easy access directly from the lock screen or external buttons. It is also possible that the app would offer unique options only for Tesla phone owners.
Astrophotography: Current phones already use AI and powerful cameras to help their users when photographing the night sky. Add that functionality to SpaceX’s extraterrestrial focus, and it would seamlessly bleed over into this phone, and you will have a device capable of great photos of astronomical objects.
Crypto mining: Another hearsay is the Tesla phone will be able to mine cryptocurrency. Musk has been public about cryptocurrencies in the past, so it is not unreasonable to assume he would want to embed this ability in a phone. Though Bitcoin is more popular, Musk presumably prefers the existing Dogecoin, the rumor indicates that Tesla’s phone would mine a new coin called MarsCoin (a name Musk himself has tweeted about). This would require serious hardware would.
Neuralink support: The idea of computers interfacing with the human brain is still essentially science fiction, and Neuralink is one of the companies working on it. They say they are “designing the first neural implant that will allow the user to control a computer or mobile device anywhere they go.”…with just the activity of your brain, just by thinking about it. Could the very first phone from Tesla be capable of such a feat? An early iteration could run on any phone with the Neuralink app, however, it would also make sense to see it here, when you consider the fact that Musk owns Neuralink.
It’s far more reasonable to see something tamer become available first—i.e., a phone that sport the first four or five features only, which come with a Tesla-branded version of Android.
Say this phone is accurate, and Tesla holds out a release until implantable brain-machine interfaces are available, it would require a waiting period of several more years. While it is true that Musk wants this tech to be trialed in humans beginning in 2022, it would not be available to everyone right away because the first goal of the technology is to help people with paralysis.
Tesla Phone Specs and Hardware
Assumption and assumptions are the only things that can be done with this rumored phone, and with zero reliable sources to believe, it is unclear what this phone could look like on the inside. It is safe to assume that, it would be having all the standard components, like 512GB to 1 TB of storage, 16 GB or more RAM, an AMOLED display, as well as a screen around 6.5 inches.
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